Cherries were a theme at The People’s Friend last week, so we investigated their health benefits.
Cherries always remind me of summer days, when my dad would buy a huge bag from the local fruit market, and we’d all sit chewing the juicy fruits.
My dad had a bit of a love of cherry pancakes, too, and I think it’s no coincidence that this is one my favourite fruits. I can’t walk past anything cherry flavoured and not pop it in my shopping basket.
Kirsty and Liz were responsible for bringing cherries into the “Friend” last week. Liz had brought a huge bag of sweets from her recent holiday, that contained cherry flavour. Kirsty, on the other hand, whizzed through the offices wearing a dress adorned with cherries!
The health benefits of cherries
- Powerful anti-oxidants and contain fibre, potassium, vitamin A and calcium, amongst other vitamins.
- Just 14 cherries count towards your 5 a day
- May help you sleep better as they contain melatonin, which could be great news for insomnia sufferers.
- Drinking cherry juice may help your recovery after exercise, studies show.
- Contain the anti-oxidants anthocyanin and cyanidin, which have great anti-inflammatory effects and may help improve arthritis.
- May help to reduce blood pressure as they have a high polyphenol content.